Kan News poll shows Netanyahu’s bloc slipping as Eisenkot edges ahead

A Kan News poll aired Tuesday evening shows Likud losing one seat compared with the previous survey, following the announcement of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran. In contrast, the new party Yashar gains four seats and opens a gap over Naftali Bennett’s party, which drops by six seats.

The current governing bloc falls by one seat overall, after the Religious Zionism party first crosses the electoral threshold. If the Arab parties run together on a joint list, the coalition would lose one more seat. The seat count in the poll is Likud 23, Yashar 21, Together 17, Yisrael Beiteinu 10, Otzma Yehudit 9, The Democrats 9, Shas 9, United Torah Judaism 7, Hadash-Ta'al 7, Religious Zionism 4 and Ra'am 4. Blue and White, the Reserve Soldiers Party and Balad remain below the threshold.

On the question of who is best suited to lead the government, Benjamin Netanyahu remains the leading choice among all respondents, in comparisons that also included Naftali Bennett, Gadi Eisenkot and Avigdor Lieberman. Among opposition voters, however, 44% prefer Eisenkot to head the bloc, versus 36% for Bennett.

The poll also found broad concern about Iran and little confidence in post-October 7 security. Only 18% support the agreement with Iran and 55% oppose it, while 70% still view Iran as a threat even after Operation “Roar of the Lion” and the deal. Asked whether they feel safer nearly three years after October 7, only 26% said their sense of security had improved, while 39% said they feel less safe. On Donald Trump, 40% think he will still be seen as a “great friend of Israel,” 32% think his standing will change, and the rest are unsure. Among Likud voters, 30% support canceling primaries and 24% oppose it; a Likud spokesman estimates the election will be held on October 20, and Yoav Gallant said he will run if the primaries are fair.